• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.65-88
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• 2008

Since the implementation of economic reforms in 1978, the Chinese economy grows rapidly at an average annul growth rate of 9% over the post two decades. Franchising has been widely recognized as an important source of entrepreneurial activity. Trust is important in that it facilitates relational exchanges by permits partners to transcend short-run inequities or risks to concentrate on long-term profits or gains. In the relationship between the franchisors and franchisees, trust has been described as an important source of competitive advantage. However, little research has been done on the factors affecting trust in Chinese franchisor-franchisee relationships. The purpose of this study is to investigate what factors affect the trust in the franchise system in China, and to provide guidelines and insights to franchisors which enter Chinese market. In this study, according to Morgan and Hunt (1994), trust is defined as the extending when one party has confidence in an exchange partner's reliability and integrity. We offered a conceptual model of the empirical study. The model shows that the factors affecting the trust include franchisor's supports, communication, satisfaction with previous outcome and conflict. We also suggested the franchisor's supports and communication like to enhance the franchisee's satisfaction with previous outcome, and the franchisor's supports, communication and he franchisee's satisfaction with previous outcome tend to decrease conflict. Before the formal study, a pretest involving exploratory interviews with owners from three franchisees was conducted to make sure the questionnaire was relevant and clear to the respondents. The data were collected using trained interviewers to carry out personal interviews with the aid of an unidentified, muti-page, structured questionnaire. The respondents comprised of owners, managers, and owner managers of franchisee-owned food service franchises located in Beijing, China. Even though a total of 256 potential franchises were initially contacted, the finally usable sample consisted of 125 respondents. As expected, the sampling method was successful in soliciting respondents with waried personal and firm characteristics. Self-administrated questionnaires were used for all measures. And established scales were used to measure the latent constructs in this study. The measures tapped the franchisees' perceptions of the relationship with the referent franchisor. Five-point Likert-type scales ranging from "strongly disagree" (=1) to "strongly agree" (=7) were used throughout the constructs (trust, eight items; support, five items; communication, four items; satisfaction, six items; conflict, three items). The reliability measurements traditionally employed, such as the Cronbach's alpha, were used. All the reliabilities were greater than.80. The proposed measurement model was estimated using SPSS 12.0 and AMOS 5.0 analysis package. We conducted A series of exploratory factor analyses and confirmatory factor analyses to assess the convergent validity, discriminant validity, and reliability. The results indicate reasonable overall fits between the model and the observed data. The overall fit of measurement model were $X^2$= 159.699, p=0.004, d.f. = 116, GFI =.879, NFI =.898, CFI =.969, IFI =.970, TLI =.959, RMR =.058. The results demonstrated that the data reasonably fitted the model. We also examined construct reliability and reliability and average variance extracted (AVE). The construct reliability of each construct was greater than.80 and the AVE of each construct was greater than.50. According to the analysis of Structure Equation Modeling (SEM), the results of path model indicated an adequate fit of the model: $X^2$= 142.126, p = 0.044, d.f. = 115, GFI =.892, NFI =.909, CFI =.981, IFI =.981, TLI =.974, RMR =.057. As hypothesized, the results showed that it is strategically important to establish trust in a franchise system, and the franchisor's supports, communication and satisfaction with previous outcome tend to reinforce franchisee's trust. The results also showed trust seems to decrease as the experience of conflict episodes increases. And we also noticed that franchisor's supports and communication tend to enhance the franchisee's satisfaction with previous outcome, and communication tend to decrease conflict. If the trust between the franchisor and franchisee can be established in a franchise system, franchising offers many benefits and reduces many costs. To manage a mutual trust of relationship with their franchisees, franchisor's should provide support effectively to their franchisees. Effective assistant services have direct effect on franchisees' satisfaction with previous outcome and trust in franchisor. Especially, franchise sales process, orientation, and training in the start-up period are key elements for success of the franchise system. Franchisor's support is an accumulated separate satisfaction evaluation with different kind of service provided by the franchisor. And providing support definitely can improve the trustworthy image of the franchisor. In the franchise system, conflicts of interests and exertions of different power sources are very common. The experience of conflict episodes seems to negatively relate to trust. Therefore, it is important to reduce the negative side of the relationship conflicts. Communication actually plays a broader role in reducing conflict and establish mutual trust in franchisor-franchisee relationship. And effective communication between franchisors and franchisees can improve franchisees' satisfaction toward the franchise system. As the diversification of Chinese markets, both franchisors and franchisees must keep the relevant, timely, and reliable communication. And it is very important to improve the quality of communication. Satisfaction with precious outcomes seems to positively relate to trust. Franchisors and franchisees that are highly satisfied with the previous outcomes that flow from their relationship will perceive their partner as advancing their goal achievement. Therefore, it is necessary for both franchisor and their franchisees to make the welfare of partner with effort. Little literature has focused on what factors affect the trust between franchisors and their franchisees in China. This study developed the hypotheses regarding the factors affecting trust in the transaction relationship. The results of data analysis supported the hypotheses strongly. There are certain limitations in this study. First, we may point out that some other factors missed in this study could be significantly important. Second, the context of this study, food service industry, limits its potential generalizability for all franchise systems. More studies in different categories of franchise system are needed to broaden its generalizability. Third, the model was tested empirically in a sample in Beijing, more empirical tests of the proposed model in other Chinese areas are needed. Finally, the analysis in this study was solely based on the perception of franchisees and the opinions of franchisors were not included.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-15
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• 2022

Purpose: The globalization of the Korean restaurant franchise industry differs from the business performance of enhancing the brand image and customers' intention to revisit depending on the degree of localization marketing. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the extent to which the localization marketing activities of overseas Korean restaurant franchise companies affect the customer's perception. This study aims to investigate the effects of localization marketing (Localized Menu, Localized Price, Localized Service Experience, Localized Promotion, Localized Physical Environment) of Korean restaurant franchise companies on customer revisit intention. Research design, data, and methodology: For this study, 150 questionnaires using local Korean restaurants in Beijing, China, were analyzed using SPSS Ver.21 and AMOS Ver.22. Result: It was confirmed that the localized menu, localized service experience, and localized physical environment all affect the intention to revisit customers. Based on these verification results, if overseas franchises fully recognize localization marketing, which is an important factor for local business success, and establish localization strategies, they can gain an edge in competition with local Korean restaurants or restaurant franchises founded by locals. There may be a higher probability that However, it was found that localization price and localization promotion had no mediating effect of brand image between revisit intention and revisit intention. It was found that it had no effect on the degree of inquiry and had a negative effect. Conclusions: Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been many changes in the domestic and overseas food service industry over the past two years. Therefore, in future research, it is necessary to study the localization of overseas Korean restaurant franchise companies that are more multidimensionally subdivided. Various measures of customized localization marketing for optimal regional characteristics should be developed and applied to enhance customer revisiting and brand image of Korean restaurant franchise companies entering overseas. In the future, this study will be meaningful data for the establishment of localization marketing (Localized Menu, Localized Price, Localized Service Experience, Localized Promotion, Localized Physical Environment) strategies for Korean restaurant franchise companies that consider overseas expansion or have already entered.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 2020

In today's society, the majority of people use smartphones, and mobile ordering and payment systems for their convenience are gaining their attention. The mobile payment market is on the rise, with over 71% of the market that is already formed in China. Many mobile payment markets are growing in Korea, which is a system that is provided only in large franchises. In this paper, we propose a mobile ordering and payment system using short-range wireless communication technology that can be easily used not only in franchises but also in the small businesses, and for the convenience of users in modern society to make a system that enables ordering and payment through mobile to communicate between the devices developed by short range wireless communication technology, smartphone and the main server.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.21-41
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• 2015

The purpose of the study is to review the real situations of the income-gap between urban and rural areas which is focused on as one of the biggest issues revealed in the process of Chinese economic development and to find out which factors will alleviate or deteriorate such income-gap, also to find out such factors will effect differently on the regional characteristics. To analyze it, six factors such as industrialization-ratio, urbanization-ratio, tertiary industry-ratio, the level of both governmental educational support and agricultural support, and Chinese dual-economic structure are considered as explanatory variables, and OLS regression analysis was implemented to the factor data for the period of 1986-2007 about Chinese 31 districts(castles and cities). The results of the analysis show that both industrialization factors and urbanization factors affect significantly to alleviate income-gap between urban and rural areas, and as predicted, they also shows that dual-economic structure between urban and rural areas is the most biggest factors to enlarge the above mentioned income-gap. However, in accordance to the different level of economic development in eastern, central, and western districts the study shows that such factors will affect them differently respectively. The contents are as follows; In eastern district governmental educational support factor will affect the most great influence to alleviate the income-gap, in central district industrialization factor will affect the most great influence to alleviate the gap, and western district governmental agricultural support factor will affect the most great influence to alleviate the gap. Therefore, in solving the issue of income-gap between urban and rural areas in China we recommend that it is necessary for more differential policy in considering regional characteristics than unilateral policy to Chinese whole areas.

• The Korean Journal of Franchise Management
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Purpose: The franchise system started by Singer Sewing Machine in the US is acting as a national economic growth engine in terms of job creation and economic growth. In China, the franchise system was introduced in the mid-1980s. And since joining the WTO, it has grown by 5-6% every year. However, compared to the growth rate of franchises, studies on shared growth between the chain headquarters and franchisees were insufficient. Accordingly, recent studies related to shared growth between the chain headquarters and franchisees have been active in China. The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge transfer system between the knowledge creation, knowledge sharing, and the use of knowledge by franchise chain headquarters in China. In addition, the relationship between franchise satisfaction and performance is identified. Research design, data, and methodology: The data were collected from franchise stores in Sichuan, China, and were conducted with the help of ○○ Incubation, a Sichuan Province-certified incubator. From November 2020 to January 2021, 350 copies of the questionnaire were distributed in China, and 264 copies were returned. Of these, 44 copies with insincere answers and response errors were excluded, and 222 copies were used for analysis. The data were analyzed with SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 22.0 statistical packages. Result: The results of this study are as follows. First, knowledge creation has been shown to have a statistically significant impact on knowledge sharing and knowledge utilization. In particular, the effectiveness of knowledge creation was higher in knowledge sharing than in knowledge utilization. And we can see that knowledge sharing also has a statistically significant e ffect on knowledge utilization. Second, knowledge sharing was not significant for transaction satisfaction and business performance, and knowledge utilization was significant for transaction satisfaction and business performance. These results can be said to mean less interdependence of the Chinese franchise system. Finally, transaction satisfaction was statistically significant to business performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of knowledge management to secure long-term competitive advantage for Chinese franchises. This study shows that knowledge sharing is important for long-term franchise growth. And we can see that there is a lack of knowledge sharing methods in the case of franchises in China. I n addition, it was found that the growth of Chinese franchises requires systematization of communication, information sharing measures and timing, help from chain headquarters, and mutual responsibility awareness.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.177-186
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• 2020

This study examined consumer experiences on consumption value for the restaurant service and the effect of consumption value on consumer satisfaction. Consumption value was composed of four values: functional, social, emotional, and epistemic. Participants consisted of 407 consumers who live in Shanghai and have experience eating at Haidilao restaurant. The results of this study suggested that the perceived consumption value of the restaurant service varies by the socio-demographic backgrounds of consumers. Consumer satisfaction is affected by the epistemic, emotional, and functional values of the restaurant service. The effect of epistemic value on consumer satisfaction with restaurant service was the highest among all consumption values followed by emotional and functional values. There was no significant effect of social value on consumer satisfaction. This study showed that consumers pursue various values in the restaurant services which had a greater influence on consumer satisfaction than the functional value related to the primary purpose of restaurant services. As the consumer experience diversifies along with the globalized food service industry, it is necessary to improve the consumer satisfaction of restaurant services by investigating what values and experiences consumers pursue. The results of this study contribute to a consumer-oriented service design of restaurants by illuminating consumers' experiences with consumption values that influence consumers' satisfaction with the overall restaurant service.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.65-77
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• 2019

The after China's reform and opening up, the country has been facing the era of material abundance based on its economic power. The Chinese food industry has been growing along with economic growth, high quality, and diversified customer needs. Also, as Chinese people have strong attachment to food, many food franchise companies have been also growing rapidly. As the Chinese government encourages and supports the field of food franchises, so that the quality and quantity of the Chinese restaurant industry have been improved largely. Meanwhile with the support of the Korean government to enter the overseas market, the number of Korean franchise companies are increasing to operate their business in China. Under the influence of Chinese food industrial climate, Korean companies are also in search of global market advancement to China. However, the risks in China are unexpectable, which means that the recent move of China is literally showing rugby action, criticism of operating businesses in China has been climbed up and the domestic SMEs are seriously considering whether to stay or leave. This study investigates the environmental risks of Chinese enterprises, in which the food franchise companies could experience, to manage any risks from entering the Chinese market with uncertainty. Through SWOT analysis and cases, strategies to avoid the risks are suggested for Korean companies to enter the Chinese markets. Therefore, this study researches in the current status of Chinese and Korean restaurants, explores any risks in China in terms of exports to China and market advance, develops strategies to avoid those risks, and provides essential suggestions for entering into Chinese market.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.108-120
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• 2012

The study sought ways to promote the global recognition of Korean food items. The Korean cuisine is one of the healthiest and well-balanced foods in the world. There are world-wide sauces in the United States, China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Australia, British, France and Italy. The above mentioned countries have good sauces and marketing strategies. In contrast to those countries, the internalization of Korean-style sauce has not yet been carried out. In this study, globalization plans for Korean cuisine through Korean-style sauces are divided as follows: promotion of the existing Korean-style sauces such as soybean sauce, Gochujang, Doenjang and Ssamjang, to chefs in foreign countries; development of derivative sauces, based on Gochujang, Doenjang, and Ssamjang; overseas promotion of Korean-style sauces through foreign chefs in Korea; and overseas promotion of the existing Korean-style sauces. Development of indigenous sauces by Korean food manufacturers and processors is one route in the promotion of Korean cuisine. Korean franchising restaurants could also aid in export of Korean food items. The food manufacturing/processing sectors must work in concert with the Korean government to globalize the Korean cuisine. The government should play a leading role in fostering star chefs, holding Korean cuisine seminars along with promotional efforts in foreign countries and foreign cooking schools (such as the 'Taste Korea' campaign).

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2020

Companies are seeking to maximize profits through exports and imports in the ultra-fast, ultra-high-speed modern society. It is only possible to sustain its survival if it targets the global market, not based on any specific region. The K-POP group is also targeting overseas markets in a manner similar to the various global strategies used when companies make inroads into foreign markets, including exports, contracts and direct investment. The K-POP group is engaged in various forms of activities, ranging from simple forms of performance (export) that are visited and staged by an invitation from a certain foreign country to series performances (license) by an invitation from a local promoter and tour performances using its capabilities. The K-POP group is seeking to go beyond the art of single-stage performances and make a systematic plan and make inroads into foreign countries in the form of direct investment suitable for each foreign country. The K-POP group made inroads into overseas markets in the form of simple performances from the late 1990s to 2005, when 'Korean Wave' was first introduced. Group H.O.T., etc. are typical examples. Since then, it has sought to enter overseas markets in the form of franchises by accepting overseas members by 2018, starting with Super Junior in 2005. Since then, the K-POP group in the form of joint investment attempted as group IZ*ONE in 2018 appeared, and a voice story came out in September 2018 when South Korea's JYP Entertainment and Tencent of China joined forces. Unlike K-POP Group, which has entered foreign markets with a global strategy based on the existing export method (H.O.T.), 'Boystory' is a representative group that is made with joint investment, which is a direct investment method. In February 2020, RBW released 'D1Verse,' a five-member group selected by Vietnam's reality show, as a joint investment-type group. This shows the possibility that domestic and foreign companies will release a group in the form of joint investment in order to pursue both globalization and localization.